I am new to this forum and am somewhat new to the game. My friend and her husband have made $40,000 over the past five years playing blackjack on weekends for fun and extra $. They are card counters. My friend recommended some classic books to me, & I studied for several months before playing in an actual casino.

I play in PA, where currently the rules are more favorable to the player than they are in Atlantic City or in the Indian casinos in NY. One issue I have is dealing with the multitudes of people playing this who have superstitions. They apparently don't know about probability. I sat out a hand during a shoe, and the guy sitting next to me objected. He says that my sitting out will "make him bust." (!) Other times people will comment to someone else, "oh thanks for not taking that hit 'cause I got the good card," and such. Others think that there are lucky runs.

This doesn't bother me too much, except if someone is not nice. Like this one guy who didn't want me to enter mid-shoe (would "mess up their flow,") even though the casino allows it.

I am an advantage player and I am not interested in controlling any other player's behavior. I can make money either way.

Have any of you had to deal with these desperate (and non-mathmatically-inclined) gambler types?

I am new to this forum and am somewhat new to the game. My friend and her husband have made $40,000 over the past five years playing blackjack on weekends for fun and extra $. They are card counters. My friend recommended some classic books to me, & I studied for several months before playing in an actual casino.

I play in PA, where currently the rules are more favorable to the player than they are in Atlantic City or in the Indian casinos in NY. One issue I have is dealing with the multitudes of people playing this who have superstitions. They apparently don't know about probability. I sat out a hand during a shoe, and the guy sitting next to me objected. He says that my sitting out will "make him bust." (!) Other times people will comment to someone else, "oh thanks for not taking that hit 'cause I got the good card," and such. Others think that there are lucky runs.

This doesn't bother me too much, except if someone is not nice. Like this one guy who didn't want me to enter mid-shoe (would "mess up their flow,") even though the casino allows it.

I am an advantage player and I am not interested in controlling any other player's behavior. I can make money either way.

Have any of you had to deal with these desperate (and non-mathmatically-inclined) gambler types?

Lakeside,I think you've got to just "grin and bear it." Bad players abound, especially at lower limit tables. Trying to reason with them or explain the math behind your playing decisions usually falls on deaf ears and is just a distraction to you. I just move on to another table if other players become irritating.

Thanks, Walter. Good advice ... to not let them ruffle my feathers. And yes, I was playing at lower minimum tables. I hope I can increase my bankroll to play at least the $25 ones. I have been playing at the $10 & $15 min tables. At the higher minimum tables at my local casino there are fewer players.